Borkena
Toronto – Eritreans living in Ethiopia, particularly in the capital Addis Ababa, are reporting mass detentions and harassment. The arrests have also occurred in different parts of the country, though the exact number remains unspecified. Some individuals have reportedly been released, while others are still in custody.
According to sources, there are as many as 100,000 Eritrean refugees across various regions of Ethiopia.
BBC Amharic reported on Saturday about the recent arrests of Eritrean refugees, citing the Tigrigna service, which reportedly spoke to several Eritreans living in Ethiopia.
Eritrean asylum seekers, who have found themselves in Ethiopia for various reasons, are facing “threats that challenge their lives,” according to the BBC report. These refugees are appealing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address their situation, expressing feelings of hopelessness.
The Eritrean refugees say that incidents of harassment are not new but have worsened in recent months.
Hanibal Michael, an Eritrean refugee who has been studying and working in Ethiopia for about six years, told BBC Tigrigna service that the situation is worsening.
“Many are being arrested. What is worse is that family members who visit those arrested are also being detained. So far, hundreds of Eritreans have been arrested in different places,” Hanibal is quoted as saying.
He added that an Eritrean with legal documentation to live in the country was arrested when he went to visit his sister in prison, who had also been detained.
He also alleges that the arrests are not based on legal grounds and are not targeting individuals involved in illegal activities. As a result, Eritrean refugees have restricted their movement until the situation improves.
It is reported that the UNHCR is aware of the arrests of Eritrean refugees and has requested their release through Ethiopia’s Refugee & Returnee Service (RRS).
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which is funded by the Ethiopian government, has confirmed the arrests and harassment of some Eritreans and has called for the government to put an end to it, and for the release of those arrested.
The Ethiopian government has not released official information regarding the latest reports of arrests of Eritrean refugees in the country. There was a time when the Ethiopian government vowed to take action against those involved in illegal activities within the country.
Deteriorating Relations Between Eritrea and Ethiopia
In 2018, Eritrea and Ethiopia ended two decades of hostile relations, which had been described as a “no-peace-no-war” situation. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize for it. However, the peaceful relationship did not last long.
The two countries have since been sliding back into a “no-peace-no-war” state of relations.
It remains unclear what caused this deterioration, with no official statements from either government. However, there is speculation that it may be linked to the way the war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government ended, particularly with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement. In his latest interview with state media, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki remarked that the Pretoria Agreement has nothing to do with Eritrea.
The deteriorating relations between the two countries have led to new political and military alliances in the region. In October of this year, a tripartite agreement was signed between Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia.
Additionally, Somalia has signed a military pact with Egypt, which includes plans to deploy 10,000 Egyptian troops in the country as peacekeepers and as part of a bilateral arrangement. The Ethiopian government has expressed concern about it.
Ethiopian Airlines Flight to Asmara Suspended
As tensions between the two nations continue to rise, Ethiopian Airlines suspended its flights to Asmara in September of this year. The airline accused the Eritrean government of making operations difficult after Eritrea froze the airline’s bank account in the country. In response, Eritrea accused Ethiopian Airlines of owing over $3 million due to alleged missing luggage belonging to Eritrean passengers.
However, it remains unclear whether the reported mass arrests of Eritreans in Ethiopia are linked to the growing tension between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
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Every one, silence!!! Brutus from Abruzzo speaks!!!
Brutus Speaks to Ethiopia from the pulpit in Piccolo Roma
Be patient till the last.
Ethiopians, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear. Believe me
for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom,
and awake your senses that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear
friend of Abiy’s Ethiopia, to him I say that Brutus’ love to Abiy was no less than his. If then that friend
demand why Brutus rose against Abiy and Ethiopia, this is my answer: not that I loved Abiy and Ethiopia less, but that I loved
Abruzzo more. Had you rather Abiy’s Ethiopia were living, and die all slaves, than that Abiy’s Ethiopia were dead, to live all
freemen? As Ethiopia loved me, I weep for it. As it was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As it was valiant, I honor it. But, as she was ambitious about the Red Sea outlet, I am gonna slay it.
There is tears for its love, joy for its fortune, honor for its valor, and death for Ethiopia’s ambition. Who is
here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude
that would not be an Abruzzi? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not
love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Abiy’s Ethiopia than you shall do to Brutus. The question of Ethiopia’s
death is enrolled in the Capitol; its glory not extenuated, wherein it was worthy; nor its offenses enforced, for
which she suffered death.
With this I depart — that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Abruzzo, I have the same
dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.
Then someone among millions Abruzzis shouted ‘Live Brutus, live!!!!’ and millions shouted the same ‘Live Brutus, live!!!!’